Portable steam bath



g- 14, 1962 E. SCHONEBERG 3,048,852

PORTABLE STEAM BATH Filed May 13. 1959 Ava/70,?

United States Patent 3,048,852 PORTABLE STEAM BATH Ernest Schoneberg,Rolla, N. Dak. Filed May 13, 195%, Ser. No. 813,026 2 Claims. (Cl.4-164) This invention relates to steam bath devices and morespecifically to portable steam bath devices.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a novel portablesteam bath device of simple and inexpensive construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel portable steamapparatus convertible into a shower apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novelconvertible steam bath device arranged and constructed for disassemblywhereby at least a component part of said disassembled device is adaptedfor use as a shower apparatus when connected to a source of water. underpressure.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved vaporizer apparatus.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fullyappear from the following description, made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the portable steam apparatus shownpartly in section and other parts thereof broken away to betterillustrate concealed parts;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the steam apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the improved vaporizer apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a porti n of FIG. 3, partly in section, tobetter show concealed parts.

Referring now to the drawings and spec'fically to PEG. 1, the portablesteam bath apparatus is generally designated and includes a base or trayelement 11. Base element 11 may be formed of any imperforate materialsuch as sheet metal or the like and comprises a substantially flat baseportion 12 having upstanding peripheral flanges 13 to thereby define arelatively shallow open top receptacle. Base portion 12 is provided witha boss 14 having a threaded bore 15 formed therein and adapted toreceive threaded end 17 of an elongated hollow member 16. Elongatedhollow member 16 may be formed from a small diameter metallic pipe ortube sealed at both ends to thereby define interior chamber 16a. It isto be understood, of course, that elongated hollow member 16 may beformed of other material than metal such as plastic or glass or thelike. Elongated member 16 is also provided with an inlet 18 whichcommunicates with interior chamber 16a. Inlet 18 is telescopicallyreceived by one end of an elongated conduit 19 which has its other endtelescopically connected to an outlet 20 of a steam generator 21.Conduit 19 is formed of a flexible material and, of course, may be ofany desirable length. Steam generator 21 comprises a substantiallyrectangularly shaped metal container 22 having an upper wall 23 tothereby define a reservoir chamber 24. Wall 23 is provided with anopening 23a communicating with a downwardly extending pipe 23b. One endof pipe 23b is secured to the lower surface of wall 23 while the otherend thereof extends downwardly a short distance into reservoir chamber24. A suitable closure 230, such as an insulated stopper commonly usedin Thermos containers, is provided for closing opening 23a. Anelectrical heater 25 is disposed within the lower portion of reservoir24 and includes an electrical cable 26 extending therefrom. Although notshown in the drawings, electrical cable 26 may have a conventional plugat its outer end which is 3,.t48,852 Patented Aug. 14., 1962 adapted tobe inserted in any suitable electrical outlet, in the manner shown in myPatent 2,864,097.

It is important in supplying the generator with water that the generatornot be overfilled. When the generator 21 is filled, outlet 20 is closedby holding ones finger over the open end thereof and water is pouredthrough opening 23a until no more water can pass therethrough. Whenfilled to this point, a space remains in the reservoir 24 which, ofcourse, per 'ts ready generation of steam therein.

Elongated member 16 also has a plurality of openings or perforations 27formed therein which communicate with the interior chamber 16a forpermitting steam to pass therethrough. Elongated hollow member 16 isalso provided with a drain outlet 28 located adjacent the lower endwhich permits moisture resulting from condensation to drain therethroughinto base element 11. Elongated member 16 is also provided with a drainoutlet 28 located adjacent the lower end which permits moistureresulting from condensation to drain therethrough into base element 11.Elongated member 16 is also threaded at its upper end as at 29.

A seat member 30, which in the embodiment shown is of substantiallycircular shape in the manner of conventional stool supports, has adepending boss 31 secured thereto. Depending boss 31 has a threaded bore32 adapted to receive the upper threaded end 29 of elongated member 16whereby seat 30 may be detachably secured thereto. It is preferred thatseat 30 be made of a material having a low coefficient of heatconductivity such as some forms of plastic or the like. This isnecessary to permit my device to be used comfortably since elongatedmember 16 becomes extremely hot during operation of the device.

Steam bath apparatus 10 also includes a cover 33 having an opening 34formed therein adapted to fit snugly around the neck of the wearer in arobe-like fashion as shown in FIG. 1. This cover 33 will completelyenclose the body of a user seated upon support 30 from the neck down tothereby define a steam confining chamber or compartment 35. Cover 33 maybe formed of any Suite able flexible, waterproof material such asplastics or the like which, of course, may be folded into a compactbundle when the steam apparatus is not being used.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when water is heatedin generator 21 steam will be genera-ted therein and will pass throughoutlet 20, conduit 19, inlet 18 and then into interior chamber 16a.Steam accumulated in interior chamber 16a will then exhaust throughopenings or perforations 2'7 outwardly into the steam confiningcompartment or chamber 35. As steam accumulates within steam confiningchamber 35, the body of a user will be saturated thereby to effectivelycleanse the skin and pores of a user. Perspiration and moistureresulting from condensation will drain downwardly into the base element11.

Steam bath apparatus 1t) is also adapted tobe converted into a hand heldshower device which constitutes another important novel aspect of myinvention. This conversion may be accomplished by merely disassemblingthe assembled port-able steam device. removed from the upper end ofelongated member 16 and then the lower end of elongated member 16 isdetached from the base element 11. Steam generator 22 is then filledwith water and therefore functions to serve as a source of water underpressure for supplying the hand held shower device. Steam generator 22is also provided with a bracket 22a which permits the generator to besuspended in an inverted position. A stop cock or adjustabel openingbottom of generator 22 and may be opened to permit water to flow freelyfrom the generator when the same is 22b may be provided adjacent the Jused as a means for supplying water to the hand held shower device. Whenwater is permitted to pass through conduit 19 into interior chamber 16a,elongated member 16 will then function in the manner of a waterdispensing spray apparatus. The water will be forced out throughopenings or perforations 27 of elongated member 16 in a spray-likefashion as in a shower head or spray device.

Another important part of my invention, as shown in FIG. 3 of thedrawings, comprises a vaporizer apparatus generally designated 36.Vaporizer apparatus 36 includes an elongated member 37 beingsubstantially hollow and sealed at one end as at 38 to thereby define aninterior chamber 37a. Sealed end portion 38 of elongated member 37 isthreaded as at 39 and is adapted to be received within boss 14 of a trayor base element 11, as shown in FIG. 1, to thereby support elongatedmember 37 in substantially upright relationship. Elongated member 37 isalso provided with an inlet 40 which is telescopically received withinone end of an elongated flexible conduit 41. The other end of flexibleconduit 41 is adapted to be connected to the generator or source ofsteam such as "generator 21 shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The otherend portion of elongated member 37 is threaded as at 42 and has atapered opening 43 formed therein. An elongated hollow spout element 44,which is open at both ends, constitutes a means for directionallydischarging steam. A cap member 45 has an opening 46 formed therein andis adapted to fit around spout element 44. Cap member 45 is internallythreaded and functions as an attachment means for securing spout element44 to threaded end portion 42 of elongated member 37. Lower end portionof spout element 44 is telescopically received within elongated member37 through tapered opening 43 and is adjustable in a vertical direction.A coiled spring 47 is disposed around spout element 44 and has one endconvolution bearing against the inner surface of cap member 45 while theother end convolution bears against the inner tapered wall surfaces 48which define opening 43. Coil spring 4'7 is compressed against thetapered wall surface 48 as cap member 45 is tightened to thereby form afluid seal for preventing the escape of steam therefrom. Cap member 45is also provided with a heat-insulating element 45a, which in theembodiment shown may be formed of rubber material or the like and whichfits snugly around cap member 45. Insulating element 45a permits the capmember 45 to be adjusted even when the vaporizer is in use withoutdanger of burning the hands of the user.

The intermediate portion of spout element 44 is curved as at 49 andterminates in a horizontal portion 59 having an open end defining asteam discharge outlet 51. An adjustable cowl 52 is pivotally attachedas at 53 to spout element 44 adjacent steam outlet 51 and provides ameans for controlling the direction of discharge of the steam.Adjustable cowl 52 is in the form of an elongated trough member and isswingable about an axis transversely of horizontal portion 50. Whenadjustable cowl 52 is positioned as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings,steam is discharged therefrom in a jet-like fashion but when adjustablecowl member 52 is pivoted upwardly steam is discharged therefrom in adiffused fashion.

Elongated spout element 44 is also provided with a compartmentedreceptacle 54 which is secured to horizontal portion adjacent thedischarge outlet 51. Compartmented receptacle 54 includes a water trapcompartment 55 and a medicinal compartment 56 separated by a partition57. The horizontal portion 50 of elongated spout element 44 has anopening 58 formed therein communicating with water trap compartment 55whereby moisture resulting from condensation will pass therethrough intowater trap 55. With this arrangement there is no danger of the medicinalpreparation Within the medicinal compartment 56 becoming diluted frommoisture. Water trap compartment 55 is provided with an outlet 55a whichis telescopically received within one end of an elongated flexible tubeor conduit 59 for permitting water accumulated within said trap to bedrained therefrom. Tube 59 may have its lower end secured to elongatedmember 37 by a clamp means 60 to insure that moisture passingtherethrough will drip within the base or tray element 11.

Spout element 44 may be provided with a handle 44a to facilitateadjusting thereof. Spout element 44 may be adjusted vertically byunscrewing cap member 45 and grasping handle 44a and thereafter movingthe same in a vertical direction. Cap member 45 is then tightened andthe spout is secured in its adjusted position.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that I have provided anovel and unique portable steam bath apparatus which may be disassembledand which is adapted for use as a shower device. It will also be notedfrom the preceding paragraphs that I have provided a novel and uniquevaporizer apparatus of simple and efiicient construction and which maybe used in conjunction with the tray or base element and generatorassociated with a portable steam bath apparatus.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention which consists of the mattershown and described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable steam bath apparatus, the combination of a relativelyshallow tray-like base having a flat bottom and an upturned marginalrim, an upstanding boss provided on the fiat bottom of said base andformed with an upwardly opening screw-threaded bore blind at its lowerend, a vertical tube having screw-threaded upper and lower end portions,the lower end portion of said tube being screw-threadedly received insaid bore of said upstanding boss, an occupants seat supported by saidtube, said seat being provided at the underside thereof with a dependingboss formed with a downwardly opening screwthreaded bore blind at itsupper end, the upper end portion of said tube being screw-threadedlyreceived in said bore of said depending boss, a laterally projectingnipple provided intermediate the ends of said tube and communicatingwith the interior thereof, a steam generator disposed exteriorly of saidbase, a flexible hose extending from said steam generator to said nipplefor delivering steam into said tube, the intermediate portion of saidtube being provided with a plurality of openings for discharging steamtherefrom, and a cover of flexible material for an occupant of saidseat, said cover being provided at a point above said seat with a neckopening and the marginal edge portion of the cover lying on said base.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the lower end portionof said tube is provided at a point above said upstanding boss and belowsaid openings with an outlet for discharging condensation from said tubeonto said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED ST TES PATENTS347,430 Lambert Aug. 17, 1886 913,310 Schreiber Feb. 23, 1909 2,077,437Robinson Apr. 20, 1937 2,140,952 Clifford Dec. 20, 1938 2,194,668Morrison Mar. 26, 1940 2,311,899 Marlowe Feb. 23, 1943 2,624,887 PessinaJan. 13, 1953 2,826,763 Bass Mar. 18, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 414,985Germany June 18, 1925

